September 11/August 29 - Beheading of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord Johntranslated

Saint John the Baptist was put in prison by King Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. The Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 14:1-12) and Mark (Mark 6:14-29) tell about his martyrdom.

The king had a legitimate wife, the daughter of the Arabian king Arefa. Herod left her and cohabited with Herodias, his brother's wife. The Prophet John repeatedly denounced him, but the king did not dare to harm him, since he revered John the Baptist as a prophet and was afraid of the people's anger.

On his birthday, Herod arranged a rich feast, at which Salome, the daughter of Herodias, danced in front of the guests. She pleased Herod so much that he swore before the guests to give her whatever she asked. Salome went to her mother for advice. Herodias taught her daughter to ask for the head of St. John the Baptist on a platter. Herod was saddened: he feared the wrath of God for killing the prophet, but could not break his careless oath.

St. John the Baptist's head was cut off and given to Salome. According to legend, the head continued to denounce Herod and Herodias. The evil Herodias pierced the prophet's tongue with a pin and buried his head in an unclean place. But Joanna, the wife of the royal steward Chuza, secretly took the holy head, put it in a vessel and buried it on the Mount of Olives, in one...